Veterinary Phytomedicine in India : A Review

Abstract

Nature is a unique source of structures of high phytochemical diversity, many of them possessing interesting biological activities and medicinal properties. Phytochemicals ensure safe, eco-friendly and most effective drug for animal use. Veterinarians use these phytochemicals with the knowledge from traditional system and modern pharmacology. High cost of allopathic medicine is one of the major contributing factors in loss of productive livestock and animal productivity. Many plants have been identified which show promising abilities in disease prevention and cure. Phytochemicals can be used either by feeding whole plant parts or by the process of extraction of these chemicals and delivering in concentrated forms. The pharmacological activities of plants are attributed to certain active principles, namely alkaloids, glycosides, fats, oils, tannins, saponins etc. The use of cheap and easily available phytochemicals can thus be made by taking a leaf out of the ethno-veterinary practices. Although the effects of natural remedies may seem slower, the results are sometimes better on the long run especially with respect to chronic diseases. The horizon of phytochemicals has to be explored and exploited to create a “green treatment” protocol to develop an ecofriendly and toxin free production system that is beneficial for existence of both human and animal population in the near future.